Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Weekly Report

By Tiger Fan

Allright, I missed last week... but I figured that the lengthy recap of the first annual Mizzou Sports Weekend gave you all enough to read. Anyway, on to this week's report

Tiger notes...

-Let's start with the only Mizzou team that isn't underachieving right now. The women's basketball team begins NCAA tournament play on Sunday when it takes on Virginia Tech. The Tigers are a 10 seed, so a win over VPI would technically by an upset... but I think they can do it. The bad news? A win would probably mean a match-up against No. 2-seeded UConn. I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but UConn is kind of a big deal. People know them.

-The men's team? The only good news is that it's finally over. No Big Dance, no NIT-mare... nothing. Now the focus will be on the coaching search. Also of note: the Post-Dispatch reported over the weekend that eight of our players are considering transferring in the offseason. Factoring in the graduations of Kevin Young and Jimmy McKinney, that means the only player we are not in danger of losing is walk-on Nick Berardini. Boy Alden, that does seem like a stable program. Keep up the good work...

-Continuing the storied history of highly touted Mizzou teams falling flat, the baseball team appears to be struggling. After an early win over No. 1 Florida, I was willing to cut them some slack. After all, baseball isn't football -- losses are inevitable. That's why they play so many games. But after weeks of making excuses, things are getting worrisome. The Tigers dropped 2 of 3 to Purdue over the weekend and are now unranked in all polls. The crazy thing is how they lost: 7-0 on Friday with Scherzer on the mound and 8-6 on Sunday... sandwiched around a 22-2 win. Gentlemen, perhaps we should spread those runs around just a bit. Please?

-The good news for the baseball team? Sophomore Jacob Priday was named Big XII Player of the Week this week after hitting two HRs and knocking in 11 RBI in the Tigers' games last week. This weekend is a huge series for the Tigers as they travel to No. 22 Texas A&M for the first weekend of Big XII play. This could really set the tone.

Quick-hit non-Mizzou thoughts...I have to say that I have been thoroughly enjoying the World Baseball Classic. What I don't understand is why everyone is so shocked that the U.S. team is struggling. Isn't that what happens every time we send our "elite" athletes to compete internationally? I'm pulling for Team USA, but I just don't think its going to happen. Quite frankly, I think I'd rather see a team like the Dominican Republic win, just because it would mean so much to everyone in that country... As a Reds fan, I must say that I'm glad to see Junior playing so well. I just hope his legs can survive an entire season this year... I find the "What If" bracket on SI.com fascinating... I think I'm glad the Bengals are going after LaVar Arrington, but I know I wasn't pleased to see them let Jon Kitna go... To recap, the Vikings have let their two best players leave in the last two years (Culpepper and Moss) and gotten pretty much nothing in return. I guess that's one way to go... Rumos is that the Cowboys cut Keyshawn to make room for T.O. Wow, what a trade-off...

NCAA tourney thoughts...I'm in too many tournament pools to reveal my super secret, guranteed winner Final Four (yeah, right), but I will give you my Elite Eight: Duke vs. Iowa, kansas vs. UCLA, UConn vs. MSU, Boston College vs. Florida... Does anyone else miss the days when being a Mizzou fan at this time of year actually meant something? I'd rather lose in epic fashion to Tyus Edney and Co. every year than not be relevant at all... Who else is pulling for a Bucknell/kU rematch in the Sweet Sixteen?... I think Villanova -- with an injured Allen Ray -- is the weakest No. 1 seed, not Memphis (but neither of them will make the Final Four)... My two most dangerous double-digit seeds: Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Seton Hall... My two most dangerous non-favorites (No. 5 seed or lower): Michigan State and Indiana... My sentimental favorites (one for each region): Texas A&M, Bucknell, UAB (Mike Anderson, anyone?) and Ohio State.